ELECTROCHEMICAL REMEDIATION OF TRICHLOROETHENE-CONTAMINATED GROUNDWATER USING PALLADIZED IRON OXIDES

Abstract

The objective of this study is to develop electrochemically-enhanced dechlorination of trichloroethene (TCE) using palladized iron oxides minerals for ex situ remediation of contaminated groundwaters. A bench-scale column packed with the palladized iron oxide media connected to a cathode and an anode embedded in a carbon pad was prepared for flow through column tests. Contaminated groundwaters with about 14–16 mg/L TCE were passed from the cathode side to the anode side of the column while the system was supplied with direct current. All of the TCE in the groundwater was dechlorinated even after 300 pore volumes were passed. Furthermore, intermediate reaction products, dichloroethene isomers and vinyl chloride, were not detected in the treated water.

Keywords:

• Electroremediation
• Groundwater treatment
• Trichloroethene
• Palladium
• Iron oxides

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This research was supported by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, managed by UT-Battelle, LLC, for the U.S. Dept. of Energy under contract DE-AC05-00OR22725.